Mikel Arteta has hinted that Arsenal could be busy during the January transfer window.
After 18 games, the Gunners are currently two points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
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Meanwhile, Arteta made eight new signings to his squad in the summer as Arsenal spent over £250m.
However, he struggled with several injury problems in the first half of the season.
Due to his current crisis, four defenders were unavailable for Saturday’s narrow home win against Brighton.
Although Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber could return against Aston Villa on Tuesday, Ben White and Cristian Mosquera remain out.
They join Kai Havertz and Max Dowman on the Gunners’ treatment table.
Arsenal transfer plans
Ahead of Villa’s visit, Arteta revealed that Arsenal will “actively look for new signings” when the window reopens.
The Spaniard told reporters: “The window is there and I mean, we are Arsenal and we have to pay attention to: ‘Okay, what do we need?’
“And we have to actively search, and then it’s a different story whether we make it or not.
“But our job is to always be well prepared because something can happen, so hopefully it will be very positive.
“If you look at the other clubs, they have 24 or 25 squad players.
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“Although we have had more injuries than expected, some of which were unavoidable, we want to get better and know how important having the right player availability will be this season.”
Despite frustration over injuries, Arsenal were top of the table at Christmas.
With a 2-1 win over the Seagulls in their last game, Arteta’s side stayed at the top ahead of Manchester City and Villa.
However, they were beaten by their nearest opponents earlier this month ahead of the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Are Villa in the title race?
Villa are currently on an 11-match winning streak in all competitions, dating back to a defeat against Liverpool on November 1st.
Asked if they were in the title race, Arteta added: “They should be there if you look at what they do, how consistent they have been and what Unai (Emery) has done with the club.
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“They fully deserve this recognition because they perform on a pitch where you have to prove your level.
“But we want any opponent that comes here to suffer and be as dominant as we were against Brighton for most of the game.
“We know we’re going to have a tough game. We’ll look at the last game (against Villa) and I have a few ideas about what we need to do better.
“It was pretty cruel for us the way we lost it, but we learned from it and can use that as motivation and hunger in the right way.”
Villa are three points behind the league leaders ahead of the trip to north London.
A win would see Unai Emery’s side move level on points with the Gunners at the halfway point of the season.